Memory Deficiency Disorder By: Amy Geiser and Ashleigh Lennemann What is it? Memory Deficit Disorder is a common learning disability that often piggy backs off of other learning disabilities. Subject will have difficulty storing information in short term memory, transferring to long term memory, or retrieving information from long term memory.
Memory Issues Often Noted in Learning Disabled Students Often doesn’t remember what was seen, heard, or shown. Has difficulty remembering sequences in directions or instructions. Often forgets the pronunciation of frequently used words; spelling is weak. Sight vocabulary is weak and reading is often slow to develop. Difficulty with items that need to be memorized- facts, speeches, rhymes, etc. Often appears forgetful. Expressive or receptive language is weak. Rarely uses appropriate nouns; refers to “that thing” or “you know.” Often repeats same errors.
Where Students Struggle With strategies such as chunking, rehearsing, and organizing to help process information in short term memory. Organization of material, its relevance, labeling and rehearsal, questioning, and presentation rate all affect retention. Comprehension abilities.
Misconceptions Might not think of it as a learning disability in of itself. People might think that memory deficiency is telling of a student’s overall intelligence. Might think a child is “normal” because issues associated with disability are not evident outside of an academic setting.
Accommodations Providing written instructions individually or posted in the room. Simplify multi-step directions. Using “prompt cards” to emphasize small steps. Use checklists and rubrics. ›These help children with ADHD learn without overwhelming their working memories. ›Let them fidget, stand up or chew gum while doing homework.
Chew on This The difference between “normal” children and learning disabled children is the child’s ability to use strategies. Learning disabled students are “developmentally immature in purposeful, active, and conscious learning and behave like non-disabled younger children on task that demand an active role of the learner” (Ceci, 1982).
By: Amy Geiser and Ashleigh Lennemann
What is it?
Memory Deficit Disorder is a common learning disability that often piggy backs off of other learning disabilities.
Subject will have difficulty storing information in short term memory, transferring to long term memory, or retrieving information from long term memory.
Memory Issues Often Noted in Learning Disabled Students
Often doesn’t remember what was seen, heard, or shown.
Has difficulty remembering sequences in directions or instructions.
Often forgets the pronunciation of frequently used words; spelling is weak.
Sight vocabulary is weak and reading is often slow to develop.
Difficulty with items that need to be memorized- facts, speeches, rhymes, etc.
Often appears forgetful.
Expressive or receptive language is weak.
Rarely uses appropriate nouns; refers to “that thing” or “you know.”
Often repeats same errors.
Where Students Struggle
With strategies such as chunking, rehearsing, and organizing to help process information in short term memory.
Organization of material, its relevance, labeling and rehearsal, questioning, and presentation rate all affect retention.
Comprehension abilities.
Misconceptions
Might not think of it as a learning disability in of itself.
People might think that memory deficiency is telling of a student’s overall intelligence.
Might think a child is “normal” because issues associated with disability are not evident outside of an academic setting.
Accommodations
Providing written instructions individually or posted in the room.
Simplify multi-step directions.
Using “prompt cards” to emphasize small steps.
Use checklists and rubrics.
› These help children with ADHD learn without overwhelming their working memories.
› Let them fidget, stand up or chew gum while doing homework.
Chew on This
The difference between “normal” children and learning disabled children is the child’s ability to use strategies.
Learning disabled students are “developmentally immature in purposeful, active, and conscious learning and behave like non-disabled younger children on task that demand an active role of the learner” (Ceci, 1982).
Resources
Cognitive Processing in Mild Disabilities; Al-Hilawani, Yasser A. & Poteet, James A.; April 1995
Attention Deficit Disorder and Alertness: http://endadhd.com/add-adhd-news/attention-deficit-disorder-and-alertness
Listening Disorders in Children: Auditory Memory Disorder: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/324161/listening_disorders_in_children_auditory.html?cat=70
Strategic Memory Deficits in Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity Participants: The Role of Executive Processes: http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst;jsessionid=JvlSk5K5Hy1G67HhN8vndfrNnhjptn90HlBB1nStfxQs4FSN1CWm!-129965494!1514184097?docId=90770783
Working memory deficits in adults with ADHD: is there evidence for subtype differences?: http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/2/1/43